Transcript

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>> He's the latest general to assume command of NATO forces in Afghanistan, but US Army General Scott Miller has got his work cut out. The former head of Joint Special Operations Command took over on Sunday. Amid growing questions over Washington's strategy in trying to pressure the Taliban into talks to end a 17 year Conflict.

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>> There's no room for status quo, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must be wary of bias and easy conclusions. They don't exist here, and an easy conclusion has been lacking.>> The United States is now a year into its strategy of stepping up pressure on the Taliban by increasing air strikes and sending thousands more troops to train and advise Afghan forces.

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But clear signs of success have proved elusive, civilian casualties are running at record levels. And they have been repeated attacks on cities like Kabul and Jalalabad Afghan forces are also chronically under strength, because of heavy casualties and high levels of desertion. Hopes of a breakthrough had been raised by an unprecedented cease fire over the Eid holiday in June.

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Those hopes then dashed by the insurgents' dramatic assault on the city of Ghazni last month. Washington has accepted the Deputy military victory is not possible, and has focused instead on forcing the Taliban to the negotiating table. But increasingly questions are being asked about whether that strategy is working amid reports President Donald Trump has grown impatient with the lack of clear progress.